7 Videos,

11 Photos

University of Cologne Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

Q: What is the University of Cologne acceptance rate?

University of Cologne acceptance rate is nearly 20% and this figure indicates that on an average, only 20 out of every 100 applicants manage to secure admission in the institution. Hence, this makes the University of Cologne a very competitive school to get in. Note: The data is taken from unofficial sources and is subjected to change every year.

Cologne, Germany

Shiksha popularity ranking

#160 in World

#15 in Germany

View ranking details Link Arrow Icon

1 Campus
Estd. 1919

Talk to Expert

Last updated on 22 Sep '25

University of Cologne Admissions
What's new?

For most of the programs at the University of Cologne, international students are required to apply by the dates given below:

Undergraduate and postgraduate course deadlines 2026:

Summer Semester: Jan 15, 2026

Winter Semester: Jul 15, 2026

Note: Applicants must apply via Uni-assist for the University of Cologne admissions. For some courses, Uni-assist advises students to apply 4 to 6 weeks before to have some buffer time before VPD processing.

University of Cologne Admissions

Table of content

University of Cologne Admissions 2026
University of Cologne Eligibility and Selection 2025
University of Cologne Admission Process 2025
- University of Cologne MBA Admissions 2026
- University of Cologne MS Courses 2026
University of Cologne Application Process 2025
University of Cologne Students review
University of Cologne Admission FAQs 2025

University of Cologne Admissions 2026

According to an unofficial source, the University of Cologne acceptance rate is around 31%. This means that the university is quite selective at the time of admission. Hence, to take admission here, the applicants must have an exceptional academic record. For the University of Cologne admission, applicants must have a high school qualification for admission to undergraduate courses. Furthermore, for admission to a master's degree, the applicants must have a university degree. The University of Cologne is free for international students and does not charge any tuition fees.

This university is one of the most popular universities in Germany. According to Shiksha Popularity rankings, the University of Cologne ranks at #15 in Germany and #159 in the world. International students are drawn to this university because it is affordable and strongly focused on a practical curriculum.

To make an application to this university as an international student, below are the general admission requirements:

University Entrance Qualification: As a general admission requirement, international students are required to have a high school certificate for undergraduate programs or a Bachelor's degree for PG programs.
Language proficiency: There are a variety of courses available at this university; most of the UG programs are German-taught, for which international students are required to be proficient in German. Some programs require English language proficiency.
Application documents: To make an application at this university, international students will be required to submit certain application documents, like academic transcripts, proof of language proficiency, a motivation letter, a CV, and maybe some other program-specific requirements.

University of Cologne Courses and Fees

International students can choose from 217 courses that are available at the University of Cologne at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The popular specialisations among international students include General Medicine, Business Analytics, Genetics, and International Business, and the tuition fee typically ranges from INR 0 to INR 55.6 L for PG courses; however, there is no tuition fee for undergraduate courses at this university.

Also read: University of Cologne Ranking 2025

University of Cologne Admission Highlights 2025

The University of Cologne has become highly competitive for international students because of its acceptance rate. Among all the University of Cologne courses, the popular courses among international students are MSc in Business Administration, MSc in Business Analytics and Econometrics, Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, etc. To get admission to the university, students need to complete the admission application by submitting the required information. The table below includes the highlights of the University of Cologne admission 2025:

particulars	University of Cologne Admission Highlights
Application Portal	Official website
Application Fee	Free application
Acceptance Rate	31% (International applicants)
English Language Tests Accepted	TOEFL / IELTS/ Duolingo/ PTE
International Application Deadlines	Summer semester: Jan 15, 2025

Commonly asked questions

Q: Does the University of Cologne offer courses taught in English?

University of Cologne is a top-ranked university in Germany which offers a variety of courses on undergraduate, graduate as well as Diploma level, both in German and Englilsh. However, international students must note that they do require a German language proficiency certificate at DSH-2 or higher and basic understanding of the language in order to get enrolled in the university. In order to prepare students for their studies, Cologne University offers a program named Studienstart International program to all the Non-EU/EEA students. This course includes German-language classes and introductory courses tailored to the degree programmes as well as a variety of intercultural modules, which is meant to ease the student's start at the University of Cologne. After fully completing this one-semester program, students can begin their regular studies.

Q: What is the University of Cologne acceptance rate?

University of Cologne acceptance rate is nearly 20% and this figure indicates that on an average, only 20 out of every 100 applicants manage to secure admission in the institution. Hence, this makes the University of Cologne a very competitive school to get in.

Note: The data is taken from unofficial sources and is subjected to change every year.

Q: How can I enroll in the University of Cologne once admitted?

Once an applicant is admitted in the University of Cologne, they must formally accept the offer of admission within five days using their KLIPS 2.0 account (University of Cologne's online application portal). If they do not accept it within five days, the offer of admission will expire.

Pay the entire semester fee;
Upload a photograph to KLIPS 2.0 for electronic student ID (UCCard); and
Submit the documents needed for enrolment.

The student's KLIPS 2.0 account will specify which documents are required for their enrolment, but most students must submit the following general requirements:

Signed enrolment application form
Proof of health insurance coverage
A certificate that the applicant has been removed from the student register (for students who have previously been enrolled at a German university)
A German language proficiency certificate at DSH-2 or higher

Students admitted to Medical studies or Dentistry via Hochschulstart must submit the following additional documents for enrolment:

Copy of passport or identification card and a passport photo
Legally certified copy of secondary school leaving certificate and a transcript of subjects and marks and any transcripts from studies abroad (with translation if not issued in English or French)
A signed consent form for participation in the pilot degree programme (only for Medicine)

University of Cologne Eligibility and Selection 2025

University of Cologne programs are offered through the university's six faculties ie; Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Science, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Faculty of Law, and Faculty of Human Science feature and consist of an extensive portfolio of more than 200 fields of study on bachelor's, master's and diploma level.Below are the courses and their eligibility criteria for international students. Applicants must thoroughly check all the courses and choose their interested courses:

PG Programs	Academic Qualifications	English Proficiency Requirements	Documents Required	Interview
MS(23 courses)	Must complete undergraduate studies Meet English language requirements Submit current CV	IELTS: 5.5 - 7, TOEFL: 72 - 95, PTE: 76 & Above	Academic transcripts IELTS/TOEFL score Current CV	Not required
M.Sc.(10 courses)	Must complete undergraduate studies Meet English language requirements Submit current CV	IELTS: 5.5 - 7, TOEFL: 72 & Above	Academic transcripts IELTS/TOEFL score Current CV	Not required
M.A.(78 courses)	Must complete undergraduate studies Meet English language requirements Submit current CV Evidence of at least Four to Five Years of Work Experience Submit a Letter of Motivation	IELTS: 5.5 - 7, TOEFL: 72 & Above	Academic transcripts IELTS/TOEFL score Current CV Work Experience	Required
LL.M.(6 courses)	Must complete undergraduate studies Meet English language requirements Submit current CV Evidence of at least Four to Five Years of Work Experience Submit a Letter of Motivation	IELTS: 5.5 - 7, TOEFL: 72 & Above	Academic transcripts IELTS/TOEFL score Current CV Work Experience	Required

Check below the list of undergraduate courses with their requirements:

UG Programs	Academic Qualifications	English Proficiency Requirements	Documents Required	Interview
B.A.(55 courses)	Must complete secondary school education Meet English language requirements Submit current CV Proof of a pre-study internship of at least eight weeks	IELTS	Academic transcripts IELTS/TOEFL score Current CV	Required
BBA(9 courses)	Must complete secondary school education Meet English language requirements Submit current CV Proof of a pre-study internship of at least eight weeks	IELTS: 5.5 & Above, TOEFL: 72 & Above	Academic transcripts IELTS/TOEFL score Current CV	Required
B.Sc.(11 courses)	Must complete secondary school education Meet English language requirements Submit current CV Proof of a pre-study internship of at least eight weeks	IELTS, TOEFL	Academic transcripts IELTS/TOEFL score Current CV	Required
B.E. / B.Tech(2 courses)	Must complete secondary school education Meet English language requirements Submit current CV Proof of a pre-study internship of at least eight weeks	IELTS	Academic transcripts IELTS/TOEFL score Current CV	Required

Also read: Cost of Living in Germany for International Students

University of Cologne Fees for International Students 2025

Considering that the University of Cologne is a public university in Germany, the other components are required to be paid by the student. Which includes accommodation, health insurance, and miscellaneous expenses. There is no application either at this university. It is a highly cost-effective alternative for students looking to study abroad.

Commonly asked questions

Q: What exact documents do I need for a Uni? Assist VPD for the University of Cologne?

International students are required to upload the core academic documents to uni-assist, which include school-leaving/university entrance proof, complete transcripts, a bachelor's degree certificate, or a provisional proof.

Additionally, the applicants might also be asked for certified translations if the academic documents are not in German or English. The processing takes 4 to 6 weeks after the payment of the University of Cologne Application fee.

The list of the core VPD documents required is given below:

A school leaving certificate or proof of having passed a university entrance exam.
A bachelor's degree certificate
Full transcripts of records covering all semesters

Q: What all transcripts do I need to provide for admissions at the University of Cologne?

International students are required to submit the official transcripts from all the previously attended institutions.

They are to be translated into either English or German by a certified agency before an applicant gets to the uni-assist stage of application. Once these requirements are met, students can submit the scanned copies of these transcripts via the portal. The students might be requested to submit more of these documents if requested.

University of Cologne Admission Process 2025

Applicants applying from overseas must follow the University of Cologne admission process, which includes many steps, and it must be followed diligently. Applying, through enrollment, visa, housing, and arrival are some important steps for this process.

Select a program and intake: As the first step of the process, international students should choose a program that suits their profile. Many of the programs offered at the University of Cologne have different deadlines.
Confirm Eligibility Path: UG students whose secondary credentials do not grant direct admission to Cologne are required to apply through an entrance test.
Submit Required Application Materials: Students are then required to submit the required application materials, such as the scanned copies of standardized tests, school reports & transcripts, teacher evaluations, etc.
Application Review: The University of Cologne admissions team conducts a holistic review (considering academic achievements, test scores, essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, and other criteria). Preference is given to the students who are top-performing with outstanding achievement beyond academics.
Acceptance: Once the Stanford application is successfully submitted, the admission decisions are released in mid-December (Early Action). These students are required to confirm their enrolment by paying a deposit.
Post Admission Process: At this stage, the applicants are required to apply via digital.diplo.de to apply for a student visa to Germany.

University of Cologne Application Deadlines 2025

The University of Cologne has only one intake season; hence, all applicants must be prepared with all the admission requirements in order to apply to the university with priority. Students can refer to the table below for the application deadline details of the University of Cologne:

- Summer Semester: Jan 15, 2026
- Winter Semester: Jul 15, 2026

University of Cologne VISA Requirements for International Students

The German Federal Foreign Office has introduced a new Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de) to streamline and make the student visa application process faster in 2025.

Under this new system, applicants can now:

Complete and submit their visa application form online
Upload all required documents digitally
Visit VFS Global solely for the biometric data submission, after completing the online process

Mentioned below are the documents required for a German student visa to study at the University of Cologne:

Valid passport
Copy of your passport’s information page (A4 size copy)
Application form
A declaration stating that the information provided is true and complete.
Cover Letter explaining the reason for your visa application. You may be required to submit a German translation of this document.
Letter of Admission from a German University
University Certificates and transcripts - Degree certificates and mark sheets
Proof of Language Proficiency (German language test scores). Applicants for PhD studies and Erasmus Mundus Scholarship holders are exempt from this rule.
Proof of funds
3 passport pictures according to biometric specifications, not older than 6 months
Demand Draft for the Student Visa Fee

Also read: How to Get a German Student Visa From India?

Commonly asked questions
On Admissions

Q: How can I get admission to the University of Cologne as an international student?

To get admission to the University of Cologne as an international student, here are some of the requirements that students should have:

· High school level qualification (for bachelor’s courses)

· A bachelor’s degree (for master’s courses)

· Degree certificate

· German language proficiency

· Academic transcripts

Q: When can I start applying to the University of Cologne?

University of Cologne has only one intake season, hence all interested applicants must be prepared with all the admission requirements in order to apply to the university at priority. Students can refer to the table below for the University of Cologne application deadlines:

Program	Applications Open	Application Deadline
International Management (CEMS MIM), Economic Research	Mid-Jan, 2025	Mar 31, 2024
Double Master's Programs	Apr, 2024	May 15, 2024
All Other Master's Programs	Apr, 2024	Jun 15, 2024

Q: Is it expensive to study at the University of Cologne?

University of Cologne offers a variety of courses on bachelor's, master's as well as doctoral level to all international students every year. Studying in this university can be considered extremely inexpensive or very affordable since the University of Cologne does not charge tuition fees. However, it is mandatory for all students to pay a social contribution fee of around EUR 250 per semester or EUR 500 per year. This fee also includes a public transit pass for busses and rail in North Rhine – Westphalia.

University of Cologne MBA Admissions 2026

14 courses 2 years

The University of Cologne also offers MBA programs, which are 10 in number. These courses are offered in specialisations like Economics, Business Administration, Health Economics, Business Analytics & Econometrics, Education in Economics, Economic Research, International Management, Business Informatics, Economic Research, and many more.

Below are the MBA admission requirements for the University of Cologne:

A relevant bachelor's degree (should have at least 180 ECTS credits) and an overall GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale.
English language proficiency by taking tests like IELTS or TOEFL.
Preliminary review documentation (VPD) through uni-assist
Official transcripts
School leaving certificate/proof of having passed a university entrance exam.

Eligibility Criteria

Accepting Exams: IELTS, PTE, TOEFL

View course details

University of Cologne MS Courses 2026

42 courses 2 years

There are 42 MS courses available at the University of Cologne with a duration of 2 years. International students are required to take an English proficiency test such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. There is no tuition fee; however, the acceptance rate stands at only 20%, which makes it a highly selective university to get into.

Below are the admissions requirements to adhere to as an international student:

A relevant bachelor’s degree in a related field
English or German language proficiency (depending on the program)
VPD (pre-assessment) from uni-assist
APS certificate (for Indian students)
Apply through the university portal before the deadline

Eligibility Criteria

Accepting Exams: IELTS, PTE, TOEFL

View course details

University of Cologne Application Process 2025

International students are required to follow the below admission process to get into the University of Cologne:

Step 1-Choose a program: International students must choose a program among various bachelor’s, master's, and law programs and check their eligibility criteria.

Step 2- Fill out the application form: International students can apply via the official website and fill out the required details like academic transcripts, references, standardized test scores, English language proficiency scores, and more.

Step 3-Submit application form: After uploading the required documents, international students can submit the University of Cologne applications as they charge no application fee from international students.

Step 4- Wait for a response: The University of Cologne will review the application and within three to four weeks, they will provide an offer letter to join the program.

Commonly asked questions
On Application Process

Q: What are the University of Cologne English language requirements?

University of Cologne accepts major English exam scores as proof of English language proficiency. Students can refer to the table below for minimum score requirements:

English Language Exam	Minimum Score Required
TOEFL iBT	95 & Above
IELTS	7.0 & Above
PTE	76 & Above
Cambridge	C1 Advanced
TOEIC	Listening - 490 Reading - 455 Writing - 200 Speaking - 200

Q: How much is the tuition fee of MS in University of Cologne?

The University of Cologne does not impose tuition fees for its programmes. All students must, however, pay a social contribution fee, which amounts to around €250 each semester or €500 annually. Other student services and local transit costs are covered by this charge. A student's annual living expenses in Cologne come to about €9,500. However, the cost of living may vary depending on the student's lifestyle and accommodation choices.

Anonymous

Master of Science (MSc) in Sociology in Social Research - Batch of 2021

3.6

University of Cologne is academically oriented.

Tips: Germans are very cold and serious. I didn't have any scholarship. Overall, I was pretty satisfied with my experience. Job market in Germany is good, but not for non German speakers. Professors and the university staff are usually very friendly and polite. It is better to learn German to better fit into the society.

Likes (Value for money): As it is super cheap compared to British or Irish or USA universities. German universities cost around 1k or 2k per year only. So it is great for value for money. However, not speaking Germany is hard for finding a job and living in Germany. Therefore up to you.

Dislikes (Part time work): Unfortunately I joined during covid so we could not experience part time work or seminars, or any online activities. We did not have the opportunity to experience ordinary student life due to the pandemic. But maybe now it should be better. Most of our classes were offline.

Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1170

Prepping time for classes3 hours/Week

Expected Annual SalaryEuro 38165

Reviewed on 25 Apr 2023Read more

View 1 Review

University of Cologne Admission FAQs 2025

Q: How many international students are studying in University of Cologne?

Over 5,000 international students are currently enrolled at the university, both as degree-seeking students and exchange students. This represents approximately 10% of the total student population at the university.

India is only one of the many countries from which the University of Cologne accepts students. It is a globally recognised institution. It must be noted by international students that enrollment at the institution does need a German language competency certificate at DSH-2 or above.

Q: What are the some helpful tips for students starting their first semester at the University of Cologne?

As per the student alumni reviews at an unofficial source, here is what University of Cologne students keep in mind before starting their first semester:

· Make connections

· Join different clubs and societies of the college

· Stay in touch with the professors

· Do not miss the induction week

· Try to study in groups as this will broaden the knowledge

Q: What are the requirements for the University of Cologne for international students for MSc in Business Administration?

The University of Cologne requirements for international students for MSc in Business Administration are given below:

· A bachelor’s degree which corresponds to the subject of the master’s degree

· A minimum of 2.7 is required in the bachelor’s grade

· C1 level of German language proficiency skills

· B2 English language proficiency skills: TOEFL / IELTS

Comments

University of Cologne

Student Forum

Anything you would want to ask experts?

Write here...

About the author

Loveleen Sharma

Study Abroad Expert

Loveleen is a seasoned content writer with 4+ years of experience, currently writing for Shiksha. When he is not writing and helping students, he can be found at the movies, reading fiction, and learning a new language.